The United States was founded on the First Amendment which gives citizens the right to know and the freedom to speak about it. Although the public was not privy to many issues until the Freedom of Information Act of 1966. Until FOIA, agencies still had the right to withhold information from the public. Governing bodies just had to cite certain information to be withheld for "public interest." That wording was vague and left a wide range of interpretations.

In 1966, FOIA was passed but it was not enforceable. Amendments dealing with how to make it practical were added in 1974 after a long debate in Congress.

In the 80s, another debate emerged about weakening FOIA in the Reagan Administration. And now, in 2005, there is yet another debate concerning the future of the act and how weak or strong it needs to be.

"Weak" is not a word that seems to fit with the roots of the United States. Our roots are strong and run deep and so should the act that protects the public from behind-the-scenes decisions. FOIA is corruption's worst enemy.

Governing bodies will always do a small amount of conversing about business in the absence of the public. It is the nature of the system. Taxpayers and journalists have to accept that fact, however. In theory, if public topics come up in a casual conversation, public servants should halt the conversation or talk about anything but business.

FOIA is an imperative tool in how the media watches taxpayer's money. When elected officials gather for a meeting, tax dollars are at work. When decisions are made, tax dollars are definitely at work. We have the right to know where and how our money is spent.

The system is built on people, and people aren't perfect. Maintaining the current FOIA will prove to be beneficial to the public.

Rules and regulations are in effect for a reason. All journalists aim to get their hands on the real story and FOIA is an important tool in that journey.

The people have more to loose through a weakened FOIA than the media. If we begin to loosen the hold FOIA has on the flow of legal information, you will see more private meetings, hidden agendas and corruption will become evident. Newspapers will battle for FOI, but we're fighting for the people because we know how much they have to lose. We know first-hand how hard it would be to publish news that influences our readers' lives without it.

Leave FOIA alone. A watered-down FOIA would be a step in the wrong direction. Taxpayers deserve to know, and FOIA sets the stage for the public to see the show. They are paying for it. Shouldn't they at least get a seat in the theater?